Fort Worth weekly gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-11-04

the torpedo system will be useless for de-
fence. AS to the proper fertilization In
the event OF war, we are no more pre-
pared than we were years ago, although
we have made a beginning to repair
simply the waste in our navy for the psst
twenty five years. In the opinion Of the
Admiral the first step toward the protec-
ton OF the coast should be the conssruc-
tton Of squadron of heavy ironclads.
The Admiral argues at length in favor Of
subsidies for shipping, and points to the
success of the system in England, Ger
many and France.
OUR COAST DEFENsES.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 1.-Ganersl Duane,
Chief Engineer of the United States
Army, in his annual report to the Secre-
tary OF War, calls especial attention to
the negligent condition of our sea coast
and lake front defenses. He submits
estimates which aggregate $5,234,000 in
Guiding 50. $40, 900 for the construction of
gun snd mortar batteries, and 81, $50 900
for submarine mines and appliances for
closing channels. Ia 8 report upon the
subject of fertilization, made by board
OF engineers, which is included in Gen
eral Dusne's report, the plan of de-
Tense by mortar aud gun batteries is
recommended involving an expenditure
during the next fiscal year of $3.50 900,
which it is proposed to divide among the
ports as follows: New York $500 900,
San Francisco $3.50, 900, Boston $3.50, 600,
Hampton Roads $3.50 600, New Orleans
$4,000, PhiIadeIpaia S2l0, 600, Wash
'ington $4,000, Baltimore $4,000, Port
land 100000, Narragansett Bay $3.50. 900.
TEXAS PENSIONS.
Special to the Gazette
WASHINGTON, Nov. THE following
Texas pensions were issued to-day:
Mexican war, Mary Ann, widow of
Benjamin Jones, Sherman; Mexican war,
Alexander Glass, Mount Vernon; John
I. Criswell, Flatonia; original, Ed win E.
Brown, Harrisburg; Elisha S. Bishop,
Brookston; Willism E Smith, Houston.
ANEW LIFEBOAT.
Special to the Gazette
WASHINGTON, Nov. 1.-The lifebo9t of
the Norton pattern recently ordered by
Secretary Whitney was successfully
launched this morning at Alexandria.
This boat is twenty six feet long, seven
and one-half wide and three feet deep.
II weighs but $500 pounds, which is much
lighter than any now in use by the United
States navy. 1t is built after the Dory
style, and is so arranged that should the
sea fill it it will empty itself in minute.
In fact, with its patent air chambers it is
useless to try 10 sink it. 1t is to De
manued bV eight men, but can be man
aged by six. It is put together with
brass screws and bolts, not having
8 nail in it. II is so built
that when it is tossed by the
sea it cannot be upset, because OF the
chambers filing on the opposite side and
thus ste&dying it. These boats have been
tested in all kind of storms and weather,
and have always come up to what is
claimed of them by Captain Norton. The
Workmen are now engaged in building
two similar boats for the French and
English governments, who will adopt
them il they prove satisfactory. Captain
Norton expects at sn early day to COM
mence building q yacht which he will
challenge the world to surpass, either in
beauty or speed.
THE PRESIDENTS RECEPTIONS.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 1.-The President
resumed his tri-Weekly receptions to the
public yesterday evening. They will
probably be discontinued during Deem
Der in order that the President may de-
vote his time to official matters.